I've only had my track only 2012 Blade for 6 months and had on track twice and I LOVE it, but I was a little surprised at Brands GP last week that when I opened it up going over the hill onto the back straight, of course it will lift on the power but the front got a bit of 'head shake', not as bad as a full tankslapper fortunately. I know they've got an electronic damper but are they any good on track? Or do do racers swap them out? I'm sure they might be acceptable for road riding but if you're really pushing it, are they known to 'waggle'? The OEM dampers on most bikes, R1's, GSXR's, S1000RR's are rubbish and you have to put a Ohlins on to make them usable, so are the Blade dampers similar? There doesn't seem to be much aftermarket kit out there (apart from big bucks GPR!) and it looks like there's nowhere, no space to fit like Ohlins anyway. I gather the electronic damper is supposed to go 'firmer' the faster you go but there's no way of knowing if it's working or not? How can you test it? Sorry for lots of questions but what's your experiences oh wise people? Any suggestions? (Got Anglesey on 25th so trying to fix it before), cheers chaps.
i have had minor shaking of the triples coming out of corners on bumpy stretches. mine is 2016 and i reckon u cant expect these dampers to filter out everything and keep it steady under ALL circumstances... my guess the only way to tell if it works and how well it works is to remove it and go for a ride. i certainly feel it does a good job causse of the superb stability of my bike wether thru bumpy twisties or flatout on bumpy stretches of autobahn. much more then a minor shake i never see and even those are rare.......certainly nothing that makes me break out in sweat.....
A few people have experienced issues with the stock steering damper on the track as it doesn't sometimes respond quick enough. The HRC steering damper is a manual damper.
Thanks for your comments. Mines a track only bike so can't disconnect and take it for a blast on bumpy twisters or autobahns. It's all relative to what level they are used. I'm sure the OEM damper is fine on the road but I don't push a bike on the road like I do on the track, its 'common' that OEM dampers are ok for the road where they're not abused to the same degree and then they're usually crap on track, that's why most fast track riders and racers scrap the OEM stuff as they're not up to the demands. Cheers
Thanks for the words of wisdom. Yes I'm feeling the same, Can't imagine a HRC damper is cheap? The GPR aren't either! Ive always binned the OEM damper on other bikes, R1's, S1000RR etc and just go with a mechanical Ohlins and they're fine, simple but effective, £150-£200, job's a good 'un! I've got one spare now but there's nowhere to fit it (like under the top fairing/clock mount). There don't seem to be many options out there for such a popular bike? Cheers bud
Thanks, and I'm inclined to agree, but I need a solution, there don't seem to be too many options out there for such a popular bike? What do the 'people in the know' change over to? What do racers use I've always binned the OEM damper on other bikes, R1's, S1000RR etc and just go with a mechanical Ohlins and they're fine, simple but effective, £150-£200, job's a good 'un! I've got one spare now but there's nowhere to fit it (like under the top fairing/clock mount). Cheers mate
Thanks Scott, yes I think you're right, but I need a solution, there don't seem to be too many options out there for such a popular bike? What do the 'people in the know' change over to? What do racers use? I've always binned the OEM damper on other bikes, R1's, S1000RR etc and just go with a mechanical Ohlins and they're fine, simple but effective, £150-£200, job's a good 'un! I've got one spare now but there's nowhere to fit it (like under the top fairing/clock mount). Cheers fella
Yeh I guess so but new anything is usually an arm and a leg, I usually buy used but there doesn't seem to be much of a market for aftermarket Fireblade used steering dampers
Probably will, and ride at 70% so I don't chuck me'self off! They're few and far between! Would you know if the GPR for the 04-07 Blade will be the same for the 08-14? Can't see why they'd change? (I work for Honda and they don't change much unless they really need to!)
Thanks, sorry I just joined the group yesterday, so who's Alan Jackson? He a bike parts dealer, a racer, a guy with loads of spares, is on here?
